Shorn of their all-format players, England named a green 14-man squad for the tour. They have, however, vowed to add two further players to the squad from the group that is currently in Pakistan. One of those is certain to be Jordan Cox, the wicketkeeper-batsman who could come straight into the XI for Buttler.

But they have added another Essex keeper-bat in Pepper, with Tom Banton still unfit after a nasty ankle injury suffered playing for Somerset in September. Jonny Bairstow remains out of favour in all formats despite remaining under contract with England and being one of England’s great ODI openers.

Concerns about Buttler’s long-term fitness

Another setback from the muscle injury does raise concerns about Buttler’s long-term fitness. This tour will be overseen by interim head coach Marcus Trescothick, before Brendon McCullum takes over as all-format head coach in January. He replaces Matthew Mott, the Australian who was fired after two poor World Cup defences in the space of a year. Many saw Buttler as lucky to survive in his job, but McCullum has backed him heartily, saying he wants to bring some joy back to his game after a period in which he looked “a little bit miserable”.

The injury means Buttler will go a whole year without playing an ODI, and have just three matches in India in January to tune up for February’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan. With McCullum in charge, the India tour shapes as a genuine reset moment, when England should have all their best players available, given they do not play Test cricket between December and May. Ben Stokes, Joe Root and Mark Wood are among the all-format players England will have to weigh up bringing back.

Buttler has a lucrative deal – thought to be worth more than £100,000 – with Deccan Gladiators to play in the T10 league in Abu Dhabi, which begins on November 28. By then, it is likely that the 2025 Indian Premier League mega-auction will have taken place, with Riyadh considered favourite to host it. Buttler has a deal with Rajasthan Royals.